The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-20
A PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT.


Scenes in the Capitol Preceding the Voting
for United States Senator.
The entire interest about the Capitol yester-
day morning was absorbed by the senatorial
question, its possible complications and the
prospect of serious consequences. Although the
Informal efforts at reaching some compromise
by which but one joint convention could be held
continued, there was so much uncertainty con-
corning the result that nothing tangible ap-
peared to relieve the anticipation of final con-
flict of power. 1t was excitement repressed. and
as each half hour Of suspense passed rumors of
all kinds, from those Of moderate spirit to fiery
threats circulated in the crowd that became
greater ard greater The corridors in the inn
mediate vicinity Of the House and Senate were
filled with people seeking admitance, but to
both each applicant went through keen inspec-
tiou Of door keepers before he could pass the
threshold. Whenever door was opened a
crowd would push to it to be met by the strong
arm of the guard, and only those who could OBJ
tain new pass, or the Endorsement Of Repre-
sentative or Senator could gain an entrance
ideas as to the outcome were multifarous
as the temperaments Of the people 1t
was more than curiosity moving the throng.
It was intense feeling held in check only by the
uncertainty of the situation. Ten o'clock came
and neither house felt that it had any business
TO do until the hour of noon, when something
definite would como out of the fog What il
would be no one seemed to know. Repeated in.
Qniries of Senators and Representatives OBJ
tanned no satisfactory answers, except that q
deal Of some kind was being considered. An
hour before this the Republicans had gone into
3aucus and out of the room every now and then
would appear some one charged with mission.
A consultation with a few Democratic Senators
authorized to speak for their party would ensue
Then arose q confusion Of consultations, and tc
keep track of all ofshem was labor no outside
party would undertake, but all of them united
upon the common center-how can joint con
yertion be held in order to preserve the posi-
tions of contesting parres9 All the ramifica
ton of previous plans records and contests
the injunction suit and the consequent appeal
had to be gone over. 1t was evident
that concessions were waverine and needing only
direction toward q focus. This work began in
the afternoon Of Monday, and then, although
the propositions were numerous none admitted
acceptance Memoranda were rejected, anC
protocols, very nearly perfected were laid aside
and it was not until half hour before moor
yesterday that the paper Of agreement was com
plete AID signed
About an hour before this the Senate came Il
order, hut Immediately after prayer by the Rev
Or. Jeffery Senator French moved to dispense
with all business. An unimportant matter o
ywo, though, was acted upon, when the Secretar,
read joint rule sent up by Senator Fowler. ]
was rule giving the two houses In joint con
vention joint control of the chamber in whic
the convention sat, and Of the corridors of til
Capitol 1t had significant meaning. and CAV
the Hrst formal intmation of what would like
occur. Senator Winter, however, sai
l<~f- Ah4 ~
like TO speak with the Chair. He with Senate
johnson, went to the desk and for few mir
utes had an earnest conversation with Senate
Smith. After this Senator Smith asked Senator
to speak with them. When the gentlemen ser
srated motion was made to take recess 70
twenty minutes Representatives Gardiner an
Jewett, with Senator Campbell and others
irnatodly among themselves, and then separate
Within few minutes the conversations wer
again carried on around Senator Smith. and TO
lowing close on this mysterious paper al
peared. Il was read privately, a suegastio
seemed to be offered, discussed, adopted or n
jscted, as the case might be- In the end the p'
per was signed, but not soul until few mil
rtes later had the least intimation of its CO,
tents and purposes When this talk and cou'
fer-talk presentation and signing of the pap,
tnme to close. Representative Jewett r
marked, "Get your committee ready ar
thereupon all of the gentlemen engaged in form
ulating the agreement followed him out Of II
Senate, across the corridor to the House sid
where the Republicans were still in caucus
Ten minutes later, then half hour befc
noon, Senator Smith again called tine Senate
order. fIe was addressed by one Of his Dem
cratic colleagues, whom he cut short with The
IL a matter pending of more Importance thi
anything the gentleman can offer When tn
Is over he will 90 properly heard" Senat
Smith called Senators Fowler and French to
desk for consultation, which continued for fe
u1inufeq Rhen SpnatOr Tripnef of no
committee having the question in charge, re
ommenced that the Senate accent the invitati,
Of the Honse TO meet with it in joint conventi'
10 vote for United States Senator. 1t W
yoncurrt in after which Senator Smith gave
substance what had boon done through the n
rotations of Senators and Representatives. loo
hff 20 a joint convention. The Senate. then a.
burning, passed over to the House. in accor
lnce with the arrangements.